no entiendo inglés
/no entjendo inɡles/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I don't understand english" is translated into Spanish as no entiendo inglés.
This phrase is used to communicate that you do not have the ability to comprehend the English language. You might also use no hablo inglés to say "I don't speak English", or the synonym no comprendo inglés to say "I don't comprehend English".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of no (not), entiendo (I understand) and inglés (English).
Which one should you use?
While no entiendo inglés is a direct way to state your lack of comprehension, the expression No capto ni jota de inglés is a colloquial way to say "I don't catch a single word of English".
How does it change in a sentence?
It is grammatically correct and common to include the definite article el before the language, resulting in no entiendo el inglés to mean "I don't understand the English (language)". Additionally, the verb comprender can be used as a synonym for entender in this context.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word no can actually be a contracted form of the Latin word numero, which means 'by number'.
- While both are correct, omitting the article el before inglés often sounds more natural to speakers in Latin America than to those in Spain.
- Spanish speakers may use no hablo to signal they have no fluency at all, but use no entiendo to specifically mean they did not grasp a particular sentence.
Examples in context
- No entiendo inglés.I don't understand English.This example shows how to use the phrase no entiendo inglés.Tatoeba #1493186 by marcelostockle, translation #256180 by CN
- Lo siento, no entiendo inglés.I am sorry, I don't understand English.
- Perdón, no entiendo inglés, ¿habla español?Excuse me, I don't understand English, do you speak Spanish?
Example conversation
A tourist asks Lucía for directions in English.
- LucíaNo entiendo inglés, ¿puede repetir en español?I don't understand English, can you repeat in Spanish?
- AlejandroAh, claro. ¿Dónde está el museo?Oh, of course. Where is the museum?
- LucíaEstá a dos calles de aquí.It is two blocks from here.
- AlejandroMuchas gracias, Lucía.Thank you very much, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries inglés, no, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
